Servicing a Seiko Kinetic

[lauda]

Hi chaps. I was hoping to tap into the collective knowledge on here regarding servicing a Seiko Kinetic watch which my dad owns. My mum bought it for him about 5/6 years ago and it just stopped working the other week. They've taken it back to the high street jewellers they bought it from and have been told that it needs a service and crown replacement at a cost of £210.

The exact same watch is for sale in the shop for £250 so they are in a dilemma over whether to fix the existing one or just replace with new. There is some sentimental value in the watch as it was a gift however.

I just wondered if anyone knew of any independents who were well known for working on Seiko Kinetics who might be able to get it working again for a bit less than the purschase price of a new one?

Cheers.

[bry1975]

Hi,

Speak to Toshi at KKH Services Guildford.

Imo it would cheaper to send the watch to Seiko at Maidenhead than use your local Jeweller who clearly is trying to make a LARGE profit.

[lauda]

Thanks Bry, will look into that.

[bry1975]

Also worth checking the guy that use to offer the service on ebay uk.

[Variomatic]

Most likely cause of Kinetics stopping is the capacitor failing - does it run for a short time if you give it a good shake? If it does then a new caacitor shouldn't cost you much more than about £25 fitted (less if you're happy to fit yourself).

Even if it's a fault beyond the capacitor, a full service including replacement capacitor and back seal (by default), crown (if needed), and pressure testing (if applicable) shouldn't go much over £100 - £120 through an independent.

£200+ is, frankly, taking liberties!

[Chicane-UK]

Depends on what sort of Kinetic it is but I just replaced the capacitor in my Arctura for £25 - that was for the complete kit including the capacitor, and all the tools to actually do the job! Took me about 30 minutes and it was the first time I'd ever taken a watch apart.

If you'd prefer not to DIY, I'd suggest you AVOID high street jewellers - I made the same mistake with my Arctura some years back and it cost me a small fortune and here I am, 2 years later, having to replace the capacitor again. Contact Seiko directly and cut out the middle man. You'll get the job done more efficiently and for less money.

http://www.seikoservice.co.uk/srv501.jsp?parmForm=...

Cheers.

[devnull]

Agree with the above about using high street jewellers. I naively gave a watch in to one by me for a battery change, and was given back a mangled watch. I checked that one down to life experience.

I just changed the battery in my Seiko Kinetic with a 5m movement. Took about half hour and £15 for a new li-on battery, as well as a few watch tools, such as the fine screw driver, case opener and tweezers.

[mikeveal]

Agree with the others. Seiko Kinetics suffer from capacitor fails. Replacement should be sub £100.
If you're in Southampton, try Cephas Mckeough in St. James's road. SO15 5FB. 023 8078 1747 .

[lauda]

Thanks chaps, I thought this thread had died!

Mike - I'm in Southampton so will give your recommendation a try and see what happens.

[zygalski]

Bumpáge.

Just sent mine to these guys:
http://www.kinetic-repairs.co.uk/

£102 inc service & new glass.
I should get it back in a week or so.

[Wildfire]

I sent mine back to Seiko UK in Maidenhead. The OH was working opposite it luckily. Cost me £80 for a full service and a new crystal. I've had it for 15 years and it finally packed in around 3 years ago.